Kupu Maori and Te Ao Maori

Kupu Maori

  • There's a list of Maori words on Moodle, but it's not exhaustive.

  • When discussing Kaupapa Maori concepts, understanding the words used (te reo Maori) is crucial.

  • In the Maori context, words often have multiple meanings, not just English transliterations.

  • Te Reo Maori relies on imagery and metaphors to aid knowledge retention.

  • Context is paramount when understanding the meaning of words.

Specific Terms

  • Aotearoa:

    • Commonly known as New Zealand.

    • Literally translates to "land of the long white cloud".

    • Originates from ancestors traveling from Hawaii who saw a long white cloud over the land.

  • Atua:

    • Gods or deities.

    • Considered ancestors and personifications of ancestors.

  • Hapu, Iwi, and Whanau:

    • Social structures ranging from smaller to larger kinship groups.

    • Will be discussed in more detail later.

  • Tangata:

    • People (a familiar term).

  • Tapu:

    • Sacredness in Maori concepts.

  • Noa:

    • Opposite of Tapu.

    • A state of normalization.

  • Tikanga:

    • Will be explored extensively, particularly in the context of Whangai.

  • Whangai:

    • Customary adoptions (basic term).

    • More accurately means to feed or nourish a child.

    • Will be discussed further.

Te Ao Maori

  • Understanding Te Ao Maori is important for studying law due to biculturalism.

  • Essential for lawyers to understand Maori perspectives and worldviews.

  • Readings from the Ministry of Justice provide a legal basis for these concepts.

  • Law and Te Ao Maori may not seamlessly fit, but understanding their intersection is vital for contemporary legal practice.

The Beginning

  • Te Kore:

    • The void; a state of no restrictions.

    • Analogous to the womb.

    • Full of potential.

  • Te Po:

    • The darkness.

    • Represents development and growth within the darkness, like conception.

  • Emergence into the world of light, symbolizing birth.

  • These origins are fundamental to Te Ao Maori, shaping the understanding of the world.

  • In Te Kore, everything moves without restriction.

  • In darkness, things begin to solidify.

  • The emergence represents possibility.

Ranginui and Papatuanuku Korero (Legend)

  • Ranginui is the Sky Father.

  • Papatuanuku is the Earth Mother.

  • Tane Mahuta separated Ranginui and Papatuanuku.

  • Other children include:

    • Tafirimatia (god of the winds).

    • Tane Mahuta (god of nature, forests, trees, and living things).

    • Tu (god of war).

    • Tangaroa (god of the sea).

    • Homi Tukitiki and Rongomatane (responsible for cultivated and uncultivated foods).

    • Ruamoko (baby still in Papatuanuku's womb).

  • Variations of the legend exist among iwi, hapu, and whanau.

  • Originally, Ranginui and Papatuanuku were together in a tight embrace during Te Po (the darkness).

  • Their children were confined and upset, leading to arguments about separating their parents.

  • Tane Mahuta separated them, causing wars and discontent among the siblings.

  • Ranginui's tears are represented by rain, mourning the separation.

  • Papatuanuku's movements cause earthquakes, where Ruamoko still moves.

  • This legend is important for understanding the environment and interactions from a Maori perspective, which differs from the Western legal viewpoint.

  • Helps to understand issues like family separation and sibling relationships.

  • As lawyers, relationships are central to resolving issues.

  • Ranginui and Papatuanuku connect individuals to their whakapapa and kinship.

Maui Legends

  • Teach morals and values.

  • Examples:

    • Maui and the Sun.

    • Maui and the Fish.

    • Maui and Hine Nui Te Po (Goddess of Death).

Maui and the Sun

  • Maui ensnared the sun to slow it down, creating longer days.

  • Lessons:

    • Work-life balance.

    • Thinking outside the box to find solutions.

Maui and the Fire

  • Maui obtained fire from Mahuika (ancestor whose fingernails held fire) through deception.

  • After being tricked, Mahuika set fire to the trees, explaining how fire is obtained today.

  • Lessons:

    • Interactions with older generations.

    • Values of sharing.

    • Self-sustaining ways of working.

    • Pushing boundaries and developing technology.

Maui and the Fish

  • Maui fished up the North Island (the fish) while on the South Island (the waka).

  • Importance: connects people to their whenua.

  • Legends are told to children to embed learnings and guide societal values.

Maui and Hine Nui Te Po

  • Explains why humans are mortal.

  • Maui attempted to pass through Hinenui Te Po's legs, but was cut off by her due to the fantail's (Pi Wai Waka) laughter.

  • This act ended immortality for humans, creating the cycle of life and death.

  • Seeing a fantail can be a sign (tohu).

  • Legends help Maori center their world, understand connections, kinship, values, and tikanga.

Social Structures

  • Whanau, Hapu, Iwi, and Waka.

  • Based on seniority with roles like rangatira and Araki.

  • Important for communal living to distribute responsibilities.

Whanau

  • Means both "to give birth" and "family".

  • Typically includes up to three generations.

  • Roles:

    • Mokopuna (grandchildren) teach grandparents new concepts.

    • Grandparents embed knowledge in mokopuna.

    • Parents act as conduits between generations.

  • The whanau unit is the base within Te Ao Maori.

Hapu

  • Also means "pregnant".

  • Affiliation to a common ancestor (tupuna).

  • Typically has some land or area of control.

Iwi

  • Widening of the community.

  • Guided by stories and traditions.

  • Links established through Whakapapa.

Waka

  • Unites groups.

  • Descent traced back to people on the Waka.

  • Iwi often holds political power today, particularly in treaty settlements.

  • Day-to-day control usually resides at the hapu level.

Whangai

  • Means "to feed" or "to nourish".

  • Often equated with customary adoption, but the concepts differ.

  • Values: nurturing and reciprocation of knowledge.

  • Principles:

    • Openness (unlike closed Western adoptions).

    • Placement within the family, based on Whakapapa.

    • Whanaungatanga: sharing at the community level.

    • Cementing ties.

Legal Recognition

  • Originally recognized in native land legislation, but later not recognized.

  • 1993: some recognition for Maori land succession (Te Tiri Whenua Maori Act).

  • Recent amendments to Te Tuta Whenua Maori Act: guided by the tikanga of the hapu.

  • Case law: tikanga of whanau may also be acceptable.

  • The legal recognition of whanau is changing according to tikanga.

Tikanga

  • Refer to Justice Jay Williams' Lex Aotearoa article.

  • Means "that which is right" or "justness".

  • Customs and behaviors.

  • Continually developing.

  • Guided by reflecting on the past and considering the future.

Example - COVID-19

  • Adaptations included live streaming of Tangi and changes to traditional farewells.

  • Hapu played a strong role in guiding tikanga during this time.

  • Hapu-led initiatives to support communities.

  • Kuppe's First Law: adapting ways of working upon arrival in Aotearoa.

Three Waves of Law

  • Kupe's First Law: Maori adapting to Aotearoa.

  • Second Law: settlers arriving, creating a clash of cultures.

  • Third Wave: emergence of Maori rights (1970s).

Key Events During Third Wave

  • Te Reo Maori recognized as an official language.

  • Treaty of Waitangi, Waitangi Tribunal established.

  • Land march led by Dame Whinakupa.

  • Underpinning all: whanaungatanga

Core Values & Concepts

  • Mana.

  • Tapu.

  • Noa.

  • Utu.

Mana

  • Intrinsic value; power, identity.

  • Can be earned or bestowed.

  • Individuals and groups can hold mana.

  • Responsibilities & Accountability go hand in hand with Mana

Tapu

  • Sacredness. *Examples:

    • Urukuppa (cemetary).

    • Not sitting on a table where you eat from.

    • Pounamu.

    • Your Whenua (umbilical cord).

  • Helps to order society.

Noa

  • Opposite of tapu: unrestricted, normalized state.

  • Food is a great source of normalizing tapu.

  • Examples:

    • After a Tangi (funeral).

    • Washing clothes with tea towels is a no go!

  • Karaki or Waiata can also be used to lift tapu

Utu

  • Maintenance of relationships, balancing society.

  • Social control.
    *Examples of maintaining balance:
    *Tribal warfare.
    *Gifting of members through marriage

  • Restoring the mana of the wronged.
    *Alternate dispute resolution.

These concepts play into the back of the minds of Maori and guide their actions.